This is a very pleasant surprise! Roger has been calling for this to happen for many years simply for the fans' sake. His voice sounds even better live today than in Supertramp's heyday. I'm planning on seeing him several times on his current tour. He simply loves what he does, it is clear that Roger is there for the fans! Can't wait for his just announced 2013 tour with an orchestra-- Fool's Overture will be a real treat! :)

Roger is really good at writing , very presice, almost a perfect handbook for newbie bands on how band relationships and ownerships to music shall never become like, this is the very dark side of music buisness which every young band should print out and read, and should be printed in every music school, Buisness school, conservatories coriqulum.

Roger is a very well spoken and know how to express him self pretty clear, thats what makes him also so good lyracist, he know how to write poigenant and clever, , never give up your right Roger, never let rec comps run you over.

So, I received my illegitimate Blu-Ray of that concert. Too bad for the illegal issues. Despite this, i enjoyed what i have seen so far, mainly because it's a rare item to have, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth thinking that we could have a more complete DVD, if all the 5 members had approve this release and works together to make it something of a better quality.

Well, I'd like to read the other side of the story from the guys, before deciding. All I know is I'm tired as hell of great archival footage sitting in vaults because of the egos of these guys. Not just Supertramp, lots of bands. Get the material out so people can enjoy it.

If anyone finds "the other side of the story" regarding this, please post. Thanks in advance.

^ ^Rick's opinion would be most useful cos he wrote as much material as Hodgson. But he is such a recluse we will probs never know. I do believe the other three members have a say but the DVD release should have had all five in sync on the matter

Edited by Chris S - August 28 2012 at 15:01

<font color=Brown>Music - The Sound Librarian

...As I venture through the slipstream, between the viaducts in your dreams...[/COLOR]

Here is the link to Roger Hodgson's Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/RogerHodgsonOfficial. It has a lot of comments from fans regarding how they feel about the release of the Paris DVD. I agree a lot with what the poster said, except I do tend to lean a little more in favor of the points Hodgson is making. If only Bob, John, and Dougie had let Roger know that they were continuing with the project, things could have turned out so very differently. In spring and summer 2011, Roger worked with them in a spirit of collaboration for months and invested a lot of time and money into it. He actually has an agreement in writing from Eagle Rock, the label, as to what was agreed upon regarding what would be included in the DVD. Roger was told the project would be shelved for the time being because Rick had artistic issues with it and that it would not be released until worldwide rights were attained, so the project was temporarily dropped. The plan was to work on getting the worldwide rights and then resume collaboration.

However, things did not go as agreed upon. Bob, John, and Dougie continued working with Eagle Rock in putting the DVD together behind Roger's back even though they knew he was fully supportive of it and had worked for months on what the final product would include. Not only did they and Eagle Rock go behind Roger's back in getting the DVD released, they also did not give him writers credit on any of his songs that were included, even though he owns the approval rights to them. In fact, it appears the band members even want to hide from the public that Roger and Rick were the two songwriters of Supertramp because there are no songwriter credits anywhere on the packaging. A lot of the public doesn't know who the songwriters were - they just know the songs as Supertramp songs. So, for Roger and Rick to not be given credit is underhanded and illegal. Hodgson is rightfully speaking up not only for himself, but for all artists, as this sets a precedence for works illegally used.

It seems to me thatís incredible how these people can jump over laws on copyright, and put out a product with so fraudulent and dishonest way.

I'm a great admirer of Supertramp music in general, andRoger Hodgson's voice, songs and compositions particularly; the truth is that Supertramp hadn't ever been what it was, if Roger Hodgsonhadn't been involved, because he composed all the great hits which led the band to the top in music history, some years ago ...

I'd love to enjoy this great Supertramp concert, Live in Paris 79's, which put me in connection to what today is still present in my life, and will accompany me forever, Supertramp songs led by Roger Hodgsonin that time and all Roger's albums and songs, when the band parted ways and he started his solo career.

To me, personally, there is no comparison between what was Supertramp with Roger Hodgson, and Supertramp without him; simply, Supertramp was over, but we were very fortunate to can following his solo career, and can enjoy his old and new songs with the sublime quality he composes them.

As I've said before, I'd love to enjoy this concert, but only if this DVD-Blu Ray would be released legally, and not taking away songwriters rights who appear in this film, using unauthorized images or photos of them, and without the approval of songwriters and publishers... and of course, the way it has been made.

I won't be one of the people who purchase this DVD, BluRay, and I hope that justice and laws put in its right place to everybody, I wouldn't feel good to myself, and it would be like betraying the person who composed these songs and disappoint my own integrity .....

There's no better way to enjoy this concert, as attending a Roger Hodgson concert live, taste the quality of his compositions live; if you even haven't had a chance, try it, the connection will be fulfilled and you'll be thinking about attending the next one ......

Chris S., you said Rick's opinion would be useful. Well, here it is...albeit through his wife, Sue:

Sue Davies posted on the Yahoo Supertramp Group: "Rick was unaware of the release of this DVD. It was done without his consent and/or approvals which were not granted mostly for artistic reasons. As to any of the other issues surrounding the release, Rick has no comment now nor will he have in the future."

So, there you have it. Both of Supertramp's songwriters, Roger Hodgson and Rick Davies, are clearly stating the same thing - neither of them knew anything about the release of this DVD. HIghly unethical and lacking in morals on the part of Bob, John, Dougie, and Eagle Rock. Not to mention, the legal injustices. They should all be ashamed of themselves.

For those who haven't seen it yet, I thought you might want to read the letter that Roger Hodgson released to his fans. It's on his Facebook page. The outpouring of support is astounding. Some of the comments are really touching. Read the comments at https://www.facebook.com/notes/roger-hodgson-official-facebook-page/rogers-response-to-paris-dvd/491463960881633.

Dear friends and fans,

Many of you have asked me about the status of the Paris DVD, so I wanted to write to you directly with the latest news. Unfortunately many laws, both legal and moral, were broken and the Paris DVD is now about to be put out using illegal and unethical methods. It is now in the hands of attorneys to resolve the legal dispute between the publishing company and the labels. I donít know which side will win, yet what Iíve learned in the music business, itís usually whichever attorneys have the most funding, not necessarily the ones who are in the right.

What Eagle Rock and John, Bob and Dougie (who are calling themselves ďthe Supertramp PartnershipĒ) are trying to do is to take away our songwriters rights. Legally, a label needs songwritersí and publisherís approval to put this type of product out and instead they are twisting some kind of legal loophole trying to say they donít need the required licenses. Songwriters are given legal rights and yet in the industry, they are getting ripped off in all kinds of ways and if this goes through, it is going to make things even more difficult for songwriters. What they are trying to do in claiming they can take away the songwriters and publishing rights could make it possible for other labels to do this to other songwriters in the future.

An attorney friend of mine who has been in the music industry 40 years who is also a publisher and has worked a lot with the Beatles catalog said he has never heard of anyone doing this in the music business - for a label to try to put out a DVD without the publishing company and songwriterís approval. This whole issue is much bigger than this one DVD. They are not only trying to take away rights from Rick and myself as songwriters, they are affecting the rights of songwriters all over the world with what they are trying to do.

Back in the spring and summer of 2011, I was working with the band and Eagle in a spirit of cooperation to release the Paris DVD. I spent many, many hours reviewing and giving artistic feedback and edits Ė and this was only at the very beginning of putting together the DVD. There were many things I compromised on, yet we told them I would give my songwriters approval and other rights that I have as a founding member of Supertramp as long as they incorporated the minimal things I asked for Ė and that they agreed to in writing and then I heard nothing else about it.

Last summer we were told that the DVD was shelved because of whatever quality issues Rick had with it, he did not approve of the release. And we were told Eagle would not release the DVD until they got approval from the publishing company, who represent the songwriters - so I thought the project was dead. Then a few weeks ago I found out the band guys had been working on the DVD all this time secretly behind my back, completely violating the spirit of cooperation I had been in with them up until then.

The only reason I even received a copy was because a fan let me know it was coming out and I asked Eagle to send me one, which I received just a few days ago - after it has already been shipped to distributors. I was shocked receiving the DVD completely manufactured and shrink wrapped before Iíd even seen it! There is a whole montage of pictures, bonus materials and liner notes which I have never seen and have never been given the opportunity to comment on. They are putting out a product that is supposed to be representing all five of us, and itís not. It is only representing the three of them.

Bob, John and Dougie are representing themselves to Eagle as the ĎSupertramp partnershipí and the contract is just between the three of them and Eagle. Whether you are a Rick fan or a Roger fan or both, I feel all fans would agree that itís not right for the three non-songwriters to control the Supertramp catalog, claiming I have no artistic voice, no input, no say at all in the creation of any Supertramp products, and yet they want to use my performances, my image and likeness and my songs.

To have received this DVD all packaged at the very last minute feels very out of integrity. They have not kept their agreements and have not honored my artistic, creative, technical or editorial inputs at all. For example, I wanted the songs to have correct writerís credit and for it to be delineated who wrote which songs. And instead they have gone so far as to completely bury who the songwriters are from the public. There is no credit being given to the songwriters or the publishers on the packaging or the film yet credit is being given to the merchandisers, the trucking company and who dressed up in a monkey suit. They donít list the songwriters at all, giving the illusion to the public that Supertramp wrote the songs, which is not true at all. And they know how important it has been to me as a songwriter to have my songs delineated. That is the only thing that I had to help me continue on with my career beyond Supertramp.

I know the three of them are going to say they are doing it for the fans, but that is not what is really going on. If they were really thinking about the fans, they would know that fans would want me to have input on the DVD. This isnít about the fans or about the music. This DVD is about a power play, itís about money, control, envy and underhanded music business tactics and I want nothing to do with it.

For me I truly was getting involved because so many of you have said you wanted a DVD from one of the concerts when I was with the band. And I hope you can understand that while I always wanted something like this out there, I cannot approve of a product that is created with this kind of manipulation and deceit because I believe that the energy and where you come from when you create something is very important.

The other reason I wanted to work on the DVD was to ensure that all five members could share their experiences from that tour, and I wanted to make sure it would be the best quality product possible. Unfortunately, I also cannot endorse the DVD because of its technical shortcomings, editorial inaccuracies and poor quality.

So I donít want any fans out there to be fooled, and for anyone who decides to buy the DVD, I wanted you to know this DVD was created out of very questionable legal maneuvering. The band that you see playing on the DVD has not existed for 30 years. Now itís all about business and the business part of music can be ruthless and backstabbing, just as any other business can be. That is one of the reasons I left LA and wanted to get out of the music business all those years ago. Itís not how I want to live my life and itís not why I do music.

This is one of the reasons that Iím happier now than I ever have been touring the way Iím touring Ė not caught up in the music industry and all the ugly parts of the business. No record label owns me, no publisher owns me, no managers own me, no agents own me. I can stay true to myself and tour when I want, how I want. I can play to 3000 or 85,000 or anywhere in between Ė Iím ok not playing huge arenas anymore, itís about playing music to help make people happy, it doesnít matter what size the audience is.

I became a musician when I was 12. Itís what I love to do and itís what Iím good at. And I will continue for as long as I can travelling around the world doing concerts. For me, one of the most important things as an artist is to play music for the art, for the magic thatís possible with music to help lift peopleís spirits, help open their hearts to receive some healing and relief from all the troubles in this world.

I want to keep this Paris DVD issue separate from what Iíve been striving for all these years as an artist, my reasons for touring and playing music. I know many of you wanted to know my thoughts about the Paris DVD, so that is why Iím just sending this to the fan sites and youíre welcome to leave any comments there on the sites.

For something more positive and uplifting, you can visit my Facebook or website guestbook and read some really amazing and touching stories from fans around the world. I so appreciate you all and am fully aware that if it wasnít for you loving the music or my songs I wouldnít be out here performing like this. Reading your stories and experiences from the shows is my inspiration.

With love,

Roger

P.S. You can also find my tour schedule on the website and events tab on Facebook Ė hope you can join me.

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